Adjustable Telescopic Structure for Dome Tents and Canopies

ABSTRACT

A tent pole structure designed for us with dome tents and canopies. The tent pole structure is comprised of telescoping pole sections that are affixed to a hinge device located at the apex of the dome. When in use the telescoping pole sections are extended and attached to the tent canopy. When attached to the tent canopy the tent poles are contoured to form a dome shape. For storage the telescoping pole sections are collapsed and folded around the hinge member, for ease of storage.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to support structures for tents and canopies, more specifically but not by way of limitation collapsible, telescoping poles that are used to erect and support dome shaped tents and canopies.

BACKGROUND

A dome tent or canopy typically comprises a frame and a flexible sheet of material supported by the frame to provide at least a partial enclosure. The frame typically includes a plurality of tent pole sections. Traditionally, each tent pole is modular (i.e., it comprises multiple pole sections that can be separated or folded for transport and storage). To erect the dome tent or canopy, the modular tent pole sections are coupled together in end-to-end relationships.

Typically dome tent poles are made of tubes of fiberglass or aluminum alloys, chosen for their strength and durability.

Once the poles have been erected, the poles are attached to the flexible sheet on the inside or outside of material to create the tent structure. The flexible sheet of material is properly shaped by guide systems installed which affix the poles into predetermined paths which create the dome shape. When installed, each pole runs in a smooth curve from one bottom corner, up to the peak, and then down to the diagonally opposite bottom corner. There are usually special fittings at each corner which fit into sockets at the ends of each pole, and pole tension keeps everything in shape.

In one traditional tent pole fastening system, each of the pole sections includes an elongated member, or rod, and a ferrule attached at one end of the elongated member. The ferrule provides a cavity that receives and may frictionally retain an end portion of an adjacent pole section. This fastening system is not completely satisfactory because, for example, the frictional force between the ferrule and the adjacent pole section may be too tight, thereby making the assembly and disassembly of the pole sections difficult. Alternatively, the frictional fit may be too loose, in which event the pole sections may separate during erection of the tent. Furthermore, when disassembled, such pole sections are not interconnected and are easily lost.

To address these problems, the use of an elastic cord to fasten and retain pole sections together has become common. Elastic cord systems employ pole sections, each of which has an axial passage running completely through the pole section. An elongated, resilient cord (e.g., an elastic cord) extends through the passages of each of the pole sections of each tent pole assembly to resiliently retain the pole sections together. With this construction, when one end portion of a pole section is inserted into the cavity formed by the ferrule of the adjacent pole section, tension in the resilient member draws adjacent pole sections together. The resilient member is sufficiently flexible so that when the adjacent pole sections are separated, the resilient member may be folded to allow the adjacent pole sections to be oriented in side-by-side relationship. An elastic cord fastening system may function well in use, but may present difficulties when either the pole sections or the fastening system must be repaired or the elastic stretches and is ineffective. The elastic cord must be cut, or disconnected, the repair completed, and then the elastic cord must be reconnected to the pole system. Often, such repairs require special tools and experience to be done effectively. Typically, such repairs often cannot be done by the tent owner, or even by average retail store personnel. Consequently, the tent owner sometimes must purchase an entire new set of poles or the entire tent because repair of the damaged pole may not be done cost effectively.

SUMMARY

It is the object of the present invention to provide a pole system for a dome tent or canopy which consists of a number of telescoping pole sections that remain interconnected and collapsible so to allow for ease of construction of the tent or canopy.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a pole system for a dome tent or canopy that is more robust than the elastic cord system, to enhance longevity of the pole system and minimize the need for repair/replacement.

Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide a pole system for a dome tent or canopy that can be simply and economically repaired, eliminating the need for costly professional repairs or replacement of broken poles.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a pole system for a canopy that allows for simple overall height adjustment of the canopy or for partial adjustment for shade orientation, or wind/rain blockage.

The adjustable telescopic structure for dome tents and canopies of the present invention includes a central hinge section located at the apex of the dome structure. Attached to the hinge section are a plurality of telescoping and locking pole sections constructed of semi-rigid materials that allow the poles to flex to form the dome shape.

The hinge section in the center allows the poles to rotate which will further collapse the length the pole section for easier storage.

During installation the poles are unfolded 90 degrees from the collapsed position and the hinge section is aligned at the apex of the tent or canopy dome, and each of the telescopic poles is extended through the predetermined paths in the tent or canopy fabric which create the dome shape and, if required, inserted special fittings at each corner which fit into sockets at the ends of each pole.

Once all telescopic poles have been extended each pole runs in a smooth curve from one bottom corner, up to the apex where the hinge is located. Each of the other poles then run down from the hinge section to their respective corner. The resulting structure is a domed shape tent or canopy.

To the accomplishment of the above and related objects the present invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Attention is called to the fact that the drawings are illustrative only. Variations are contemplated as being a part of the present invention, limited only by the scope of the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view assembly drawing of a telescopic pole section with two sets of two pole adjustable tent pole structures, fully extended in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 illustrates a detailed perspective view drawing of a hinge device for telescopic pole section with two pole segments;

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view assembly drawing of a telescopic pole section with one four pole adjustable tent pole structure, fully extended in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 illustrates a detailed perspective view drawing of a hinge device for telescopic pole section with four pole segments;

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view assembly drawing of a telescopic pole section with four single pole adjustable tent pole structure, fully extended in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 illustrates a detailed perspective view drawing of a hinge device for telescopic pole section with a single pole segment;

FIG. 7 illustrates a side view drawing of the telescopic pole sections with a two pole segment.

FIG. 8 illustrates detailed cross sectional drawings of the push button locking mechanics for a telescopic pole segment both extended and retracted.

FIG. 9 illustrates a cross sectional bottom view drawing of a telescopic pole section detailing the shape of the telescoping pole sections.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION AND PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

As shown in the drawings, the present invention provides an adjustable telescopic structure dome for dome tents and canopies. As depicted in FIG. 1, a two pole adjustable tent pole structure 1 comprises a hinge member 2 and two opposing pole members 3 attached to the hinge member 2. As depicted in FIGS. 1, 3, and 5, the adjustable telescopic structure dome for dome tents and canopies can be constructed in a number of manners and arrangements with variations of the hinge members 2, 4, 5 and the number of pole members 3.

As depicted in FIGS. 2, 4, and 6 the hinges member 2, 4, 5 are comprised of a flat section 6, one or more sets of adjacent hinge tabs 10, and tongues 8. As depicted in the figures, the flat sections 6 provide a rigid support section for the hinge tabs 10 to attach to.

As depicted in FIGS. 2, 4 and 6, in addition to providing support for the hinge members 2, 4, 5, the flat section 6 can also have connector holes 9, through the flat sections 6 which allow two or more hinge members 2, 6 to be pinned together. In a single pole hinge member 6, the hole will be at the opposite end of the flat section 6 from the tongue 8. In hinge members with two 2 or more sets of pole members 3 the connector hole 9 will be located in the center of the hinge member 2 and 4 (not depicted).

As depicted in FIGS. 2, 4, and 6, the each hinge member 2, 4, 5 is comprised of a least two sets of hinge tabs 10. The hinge tabs 10 are located on each side of the hinge member 2, 4, 5 and are perpendicularly aligned with each other with respect to the flat section 6. In the preferred embodiment of the invention the hinge tabs 10 are half circular shaped. The half circle shape eliminates sharp edges that may tear or puncture the tent or canopy material.

As depicted in FIGS. 2, 4, and 6, running though the center of each of the hinge tabs 10 is a hole 11. The holes are aligned with its mating hinge tab 10 located parallel from it on the hinge member 2, 4, 5. The holes must be located far enough from the top of the flat section 6 to allow the pole members 3 to be installed and rotate freely. The function of the hinge tab holes 11 are to provide a means to insert a connector pinning device 13 which will create a hinged connection 14 the pole member 3 and the hinge member 2, 4, 5, allowing the pole member 3 to rotate around the hinge member 2, 4, 5 as depicted in FIG. 7.

The hinged connection 14 depicted in the figures, utilizing hinge tabs 10 and pinning devices 13 is the preferred means for creating a rotative connection between the hinge members 2, 4, 5 and pole sections 3 because it is inexpensive and simple to manufacture. However, there are a multitude of methods and devices (not depicted) which could be utilized to create this rotative connection between the hinge members 2, 4, 5 and pole sections 3 that would be known to those skilled in the art, including but not limited to piano hinges, knuckle joints, etc.

As depicted in FIGS. 2, 4, and 6, starting at the hinge tabs 10 and protruding outwardly away from the flat section 6 of hinge member 2, 4, 5 is a rigid tongue member 8. In the preferred embodiment of the invention the tongues 8 are half circular shaped. The half circle shape eliminates sharp edges that may tear or puncture the tent or canopy fabric. The function of the tongue 8 is to provide an anchor point that will create the moment which will cause the pole sections 3 to form an arch shape when extended and flexed in the direction opposite the top side of the hinge member 2, 4, 5.

As depicted in FIGS. 7 and 8, the in the preferred embodiment the pole members 3 are comprised of a plurality of telescoping members. This telescopic structure allows the poles to be reduced in length when not in use for ease of storage. Each telescoping pole segment comprises a hinge pole segment 15, a ground contacting pole segment 16, and a plurality of intermediate progressively smaller cross sectional pole segments 17 located between the hinge pole segment 15 and the ground contacting pole segment 16.

As depicted in FIGS. 7, 8 and 9 to the inner cross sectional pole segments provides a slightly smaller representative profile of the cross-section of the inner surface of the outer pole. Internally, each telescoping member has a push button clip locking mechanism 18 which secures the pole members 3 in their intended location when the pole is extended. The clip locking mechanism 18 functions to ensure that once the pole member 3 has been fully extended, it will remain in that position during use. The clip locking mechanism is the preferred means for ensuring the telescoping pole 3 remains in position when it has been fully extended due to its simplicity and reliability, however, alternative methods to achieve this means (not depicted) are well known to those skilled in the art including but not limited to compression fits and twist-locks.

As depicted in FIG. 8, in the preferred embodiment each section of telescoping members comprise an inner pole and an outer pole. The inner pole telescopes from within the outer pole and includes means for locking the poles in an extended, telescoped position via a conventional push button clip locking mechanism. The push button clip locking mechanism 18 has a button head 19 which is dimensioned and configured to protrude through both a first aperture 20 in the inner pole and an aperture 21 of the outer pole when brought into registry with the first aperture 20. Furthermore, the push button head 19 is biased by the aperture 20 of the inner pole. Thus, when the head 19 of the push button clip locking mechanism 18 is manually depressed and by axially extending the inner pole relative to the outer pole, the push button head 19 can be made to pass within the cavity of the cylinder of the outer pole until it reaches and passes through the apertures 21 of the outer pole.

As depicted in FIG. 9, in the preferred embodiment cross sectional shape of the telescoping members 3 is capsule shaped (rectangular inner portion with half circles on either end). The capsule shape does not allow rotation of the inner and outer poles with respect to each other, thus prevents misaligning the first aperture 20 of the inner pole with the aperture 21 of the outer pole, such misalignment prevents engagement of the hole and button head. This type of misalignment is common among circular shaped telescoping members. While a capsule shape is used in the preferred embodiment, the pole could be constructed of any shape which exhibited the necessary semi-rigid non-rotating properties required for clip alignment.

As depicted in FIG. 8, through the center of the hinge pole segment 15, hinge tab connector holes 22 are present. The hinge tab connector holes 22 allow the hinge pole segment to be connected to the hinge member 2, 4, 5 via a pinning means 13, such as a clevis pin, rivet, or any other method known to those skilled in the art.

The telescopic tent pole members 3 must be constructed of a material with enough tensile strength to allow the members to be formed into the dome structure without the pole segments breaking. The materials used in the adjustable telescopic structure may provide different properties, such as strength, rigidity, wear resistance, corrosion resistance, mold resistance, UV resistance or other advantageous properties typically desired for outdoor products. The tent pole segments and hinge member may be comprised of the typical materials currently utilized to manufacture tent poles such as polymeric materials (e.g., plastic, nylon or Kevlar), metal materials (e.g., aluminum or titanium), or fibrous materials (e.g., carbon fiber or fiberglass).

As depicted in FIGS. 1 & 2, when erecting a dome tent or canopy with two pole adjustable tent pole structures, two sets of two pole adjustable tent pole structures 1 will be required. The two sets of two pole adjustable tent pole structures 1 will be properly aligned with each other, based on the tent shape. Once aligned, a pinning mechanism 24 will be installed, affixing the two aligned structures 1 together. Once the two structures have been attached to each other, the resulting structure is aligned with the tent or canopy fabric 25 and each of the four telescoping poles 3 is extended through the predetermined paths in the tent or canopy material which create the dome shape (not depicted) and, if required, inserted special fittings (not depicted) at each corner which fit into sockets (not depicted) at the ends of each pole.

As depicted in FIGS. 5 & 6, in an alternate embodiment of the invention instead of using two sets of two pole adjustable tent pole structure 1 to erect the dome tent or canopy, a plurality of sets of single pole adjustable tent pole structures 23 will be required. The single pole adjustable tent pole structures 23 will be properly aligned with each other, based on the tent shape. Once aligned, a pinning mechanism 24 will be installed, affixing the aligned structures together. Once these structures 23 have been attached to each other, the resulting structure is aligned with the tent or canopy material 25 and each of the telescoping poles 3 is extended through the predetermined paths in the tent or canopy fabric which create the dome shape (not depicted) and, if required, inserted special fittings (not depicted) at each corner which fit into sockets (not depicted) at the ends of each pole.

As depicted in FIGS. 3 & 4, in an alternate embodiment of the invention instead of using sets of one 23 or two 1 pole adjustable tent pole structure to erect the dome tent or canopy, a four pole member tent pole structure 26 can be utilized. In the four pole member tent pole structure 26, the hinge member 5 is comprised of a plus sign shaped flat section 6 with four sets of adjacent hinge tabs 10 and tongues 8. Utilizing a four pole member tent pole structure 26, a dome tent or canopy can be erected in a very similar manner as the manner used to erect a dome tent using one 23 or two 1 pole structures, however, the need to interconnect the pole structures will not be required.

It would be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made to the illustrated embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present invention. All such modifications and changes are intended to be covered by the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A tent pole structure comprising: a hinge member comprised of one or more means for connecting the hinge member to one or more tent poles and a tongue member with top and bottom sides which protrudes outwardly from said means and underneath said tent poles; one or more tent poles each with top and bottom sides, each located rotatively attached to said means for connecting the hinge member to one or more tent poles, each pole including an end with a means for connecting the tent pole to said hinge member and a ground contacting end; said hinge member and tent poles arranged such that when the tent pole is rotatively connected to the hinge member the top side of the tongue member will come into contact with the bottom side of the tent pole providing an anchor point to create a moment which will cause the tent pole to form an arch shape when flexed in the direction opposite the tab side of the hinge member.
 2. The tent pole structure of claim 1, wherein each tent pole is further comprised of a plurality or collapsible, telescoping sections.
 3. The tent pole structure of claim 2, wherein said means for connecting the hinge member to said tent poles is comprised of a rigid flat section with top and bottom sides from which said tongue protrudes, a hinge with one side mounted to the top side of rigid flat section and the other rotatively connected to the non-ground contacting side of the tent pole.
 4. The tent pole structure of claim 3, wherein said rigid flat section further comprises a means for connecting multiple tent poles together.
 5. The tent pole structure of claim 4, wherein said means for connecting multiple tent poles together comprises a hole through the rigid flat section through which a connecting device, such as a bolt or pin can be inserted through.
 6. A tent frame comprised of a plurality of tent pole structures connected together at the apex of the tent pole structure, forming a dome shape to which a tent or canopy fabric can be attached, each tent pole structure comprising: a hinge member comprised of one or more means for connecting the hinge member to one or more tent poles and a tongue member with top and bottom sides which protrudes outwardly from said means and underneath said tent poles; one or more telescoping tent poles each with top and bottom sides, each located rotatively attached to said means for connecting the hinge member to one or more tent poles, each pole including an end with a means for connecting the tent pole to said hinge member and a ground contacting end; said hinge member and tent poles arranged such that when the tent pole is rotatively connected to the hinge member the top side of the tongue member will come into contact with the bottom side of the tent pole providing an anchor point to create a moment which will cause the tent pole to form an arch shape when flexed in the direction opposite the tab side of the hinge member.
 7. The tent frame of claim 6, wherein said means for connecting the hinge member to said tent poles is comprised of a rigid flat section with top and bottom sides from which said tongue protrudes, a hinge with one side mounted to the top side of rigid flat section and the other rotatively connected to the non-ground contacting side of the tent pole.
 8. The tent frame of claim 7, wherein said rigid flat section further comprises a means for connecting multiple tent poles together.
 9. The tent frame of claim 8, wherein said means for connecting the tent poles together comprises a hole through the rigid flat section through which a connecting device, such as a bolt or pin can be inserted through. 